Every AFL club’s most intriguing crop of off-contract players: Part 3

The 2023 AFL season has well and truly ticked into the business end of proceedings, and with that, the on-field activity becomes increasingly captivating. 

Discussion and debate about the state of umpiring, dangerous tackles and the MRO, 'wildcard' finals formats – and everything else of the like – has dominated the league's agenda to this point in the year. 

However, as we edge excitedly closer to the flag-deciding matchups of this year, we also creep closer to the off-season; signalling free agency and trades!

As is the case every season, an array of appealing talent is potentially up for grabs. 

In this three-part series, we're not necessarily analysing each club's biggest or most popular off-contract names. Rather, we've examined every squad's most intriguing crop of players whose contract situations provoke curiosity. 

READ: PART 1 and PART 2

So, without further ado, let's explore the final six teams and their interesting off-contract assets. 

Port Adelaide

The Power will be relieved to be retaining rising utility Miles Bergman on a two-year extension, with the young Victorian representing Port Adelaide's most pressing re-signing priority.

However, with a bevy of senior players still without new contracts, the Power's higher-ups shift their attention to those other pertinent situations that require resolution. 

Tom Jonas
Jonas, the Power's skipper, fell out of favour with Port Adelaide's match committee this season, watching from the sidelines as the Power executed a club-record-breaking winning streak to elevate the team to premiership contention. 

It's difficult not to sympathise with the 32-year-old, who has simply been supplanted by players preferred in the eyes of coach Ken Hinkley and his selection committee. 

Ahead of Round 20's Showdown defeat to the Adelaide Crows, Hinkley named key defenders Aliir Aliir and Trent McKenzie along with medium-sized backmen Ryan Burton, Dan Houston, and Lachie Jones, who, while not key-position players, possess the capability to play tall when required. The combination has been largely successful for Hinkley and Co. this season. 

In addition to age, the nimble profiles of Aliir and McKenzie reduce the veteran's appeal to selectors. 

However, with both Aliir and Jones each missing time due to concussions and McKenzie's injury blow leaving him sidelined for the medium term, the Norwood product has been afforded a chance to re-solidify his spot in Hinkley's side ahead of a critical finals campaign at Alberton. 

Jonas, having partaken in 13 AFL seasons, represents a quality selection option in terms of league experience, particularly approaching an all-important post-season series. 

Going beyond how this year pans out, though, and Jonas' footballing future in Alberton remains cloudy. 

The key defender holds an unrestricted free agent status in 2023, meaning he's able to depart Port Adelaide for a destination of his choosing, provided he's still a wanted AFL commodity. Otherwise, if not a short-term extension, retirement could be on the cards for the storied veteran. 

Travis Boak
Boak's 2024 prospects are also in question, though not exactly for the same reasons as veteran teammate Jonas. 

Despite his elder status among a youthful and energetic Power outfit, the Victorian midfielder is still a preferred choice in Port's engine room, having played 80 per cent of Port Adelaide's 2023 outings. He missed the chance at an 18th season appearance – the club's victory over GWS at the weekend – due to illness. 

However, does he have enough juice left to play a substantial role again next season? It's not exactly as if his presence is a desperate requirement among Port's burgeoning on-ball brigade, with electric youngsters Connor Rozee, Zak Butters, and Jason Horne-Francis, as well as Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines, all playing significant roles under midfield coach Josh Carr. 

The Power will likely leave the decision to Boak, who holds an unrestricted free agent status at the cessation of this season. 

Mitchell Georgiades, Orazio Fantasia & Charlie Dixon
Key-position forwards Georgiades and Dixon, as well as general forward Fantasia, all remain unsigned past the end of this season, with clouds hanging over the futures of each. 

Georgiades, a Subiaco product, has held off signing a new contract at Alberton amid understandable reported intrigue from Western Australia. The 21-year-old is a non-free agent this year; however, he could opt to force his way out, as West Coast and a host of Victorian clubs are set to come calling at trade time. 

Dixon, meanwhile, will be turning a seasoned 33 years old at season's end, prompting discussion about how long his AFL career has left to run. 

Then there's Fantasia, who is probably the biggest enigma in this discussion. 

Since returning home to South Australia at the end of the 2020 season, the ex-Bomber has played a measly 19 games across three seasons at Alberton. 

Fantasia's durability is a concern that isn't going away, and he's already 27 years old. 

Combined with the fact that Port's small-forward structure under Ken Hinkley appears rock solid, there appears genuine doubt over Fantasia's future at the Power. The forward's last senior appearance came in Round 3's Showdown. 

A report that tied the livewire goalkicker to a return to Essendon at the end of the season – while refuted by Fantasia himself – is understandable, considering his struggles keeping a spot in Port Adelaide's best side. 

Albeit, while Fantasia's 'greener pastures' thought process hasn't eventuated at Port Adelaide for multiple reasons, there's a possibility a short-term extension is the eventual outcome here. 

Scott Lycett, Brynn Teakle & Sam Hayes
Port Adelaide's ruck personnel situation is an intriguing topic of discourse. 

The Power's three recognised ruckmen, Lycett, Teakle, and Hayes, all currently find themselves out of contract beyond this year, while three-gamer Dante Visentini is contracted for a further two seasons. 

Which one, or how many, will be re-signed by Port Adelaide? A likely result is at least one of them remains at the club beyond this season. 

Of the three, Lycett is the only one who hails from South Australia, having originated from the SANFL's Port Magpies. The veteran has also been afforded the most senior opportunity amongst this electrifying Power outfit; seemingly first-in-line for a new deal. 

The Victorian Hayes, meanwhile, may find himself as 'trade bait' and could be tempted by a move home if he feels senior opportunities will continue to evade him. 

Then there's Teakle. While this trio's collective future at Port Adelaide is uncertain, it seems as if he could be the man with the longest viable Alberton future, possessing the youth that Lycett doesn't, and the athleticism that Hayes lacks. Further, having snatched him up at last year's Mid-Season Draft, the Power's list committee is likely thinking long-term with the East Fremantle product. 

When comparing the triplet in terms of their rucking impact, it's neck-and-neck-and-neck. Technically, Lycett leads all-comers, averaging 24.6 hitouts per game; 7.3 of which are to the advantage of a teammate.

Teakle is next in line, notching an average of 20.8 hitouts and 7.0 to advantage, with Hayes' 18.0 hitouts and 6.0 to advantage rating third out of the trio. There isn't much that separates them, making a choice between the three all the more difficult. 

Again, more than one could receive a new contract; however, would that be the wisest use of valuable list spots?

Regarding Port Adelaide's current group of unsigned players in general, a query that must be pondered is whether specific players have held off on signing on the dotted line until Hinkley's future is confirmed. 

While the acquisition of Bergman's signature represents a sizeable step in the right direction retention-wise, the circumstances surrounding Hinkley, who has not only stabilised but rejuvenated Port Adelaide in 2023, arguably hold a decent amount of influence in the minds of those off-contract Power players still undecided on their footballing futures. 

Richmond

The ultimate decision made by Jack Riewoldt to retire is set to heavily influence the Tigers' list plans for the coming months.

During numerous points this season, fellow retiree Trent Cotchin's play inspired the idea that he could play on again next season in spite of his elder status. The stalwart onballer's constant effort and precise ball use on a week-to-week basis remains eye-catching. However, it's not to be for the champion three-time premiership skipper, who'll cap his decorated career at year's end. 

Like Cotchin, Riewoldt has come to the decision to call it a day. 

The 346-game star forward has also had his vintage moments but has also struggled to impact games against middling opponents, warranting the idea of ceasing his playing career at the end of the season. 

Throughout Richmond's disappointing 2023 campaign, Riewoldt has managed 31 goals, which, with just two home-and-away games remaining, represents the fourth-lowest season tally of his 17-season career, and the lowest of any 18-plus-game season since 2008, when he registered just 18 total majors. 

A point that must be raised is the impact Tom Lynch's protracted absence has had on Riewoldt's burdensome role in Andrew McQualter's side. Oftentimes drawing the opposition's best key defender, simply forcing a contest and bringing the ball to ground is typically a positive result for the veteran, with few alternative forward options presently available for the Tigers. 

With Riewoldt departing, the Tigers will now cast an eye elsewhere, with several other senior figures still unsigned for 2024. 

Jack Graham
Graham, a North Adelaide product, was considered every chance of departing Tigerland in favour of Alberton during last year's trade period, having partaken in a covert tour of the club's training facilities before eventually tacking on another year to his Richmond tenure. 

However, as he finds himself out of contract again this season, there are different circumstances surrounding the Tigers this year, as compared to last. 

In October 2022, Richmond, coming off a spirited finals appearance, was considered likely to snare then-GWS midfield duo Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper as part of a promising attempt at re-entering premiership contention. 

While Taranto's recruitment has been widely regarded as a triumph, coming up on 12 months later and the Tigers are far from where they were hoping they'd be as finals-time approaches. 

Consequently, Graham may once again ponder putting a full stop to his two-time premiership journey in yellow and black. 

Graham hasn't been spectacular from a statistical perspective this year, nor has he reached the heroic heights of his play during Richmond's dynasty years. However, the 25-year-old's grunt and extraction work at the contest remains the South Australian's most invaluable traits. 

While Graham is off-contract at the end of 2023, he isn't yet eligible for free agency, meaning if he decides on a departure, he'd need Richmond and his acquiring party to come to an agreement on a trade deal. 

Significantly closer to premiership contention than this time last year, will Port Adelaide come calling again in October?

Kamdyn McIntosh
McIntosh is Richmond's only prospective unrestricted free agent this year. 

The two-time premiership Tiger hails from Pinjarra, Western Australia – one of numerous Western Australian Tigers – and will turn 30 years of age at the start of next season. 

With Richmond's dynasty era well and truly ceased, would McIntosh consider a late-career return home to play for one of West Coast or Fremantle? Would a twilight role as a veteran mentor to the young Eagles, for example, interest the rangy wingman?

The Eagles reportedly kicked the tires on WA native Nathan Broad before the defender penned an extension at Punt Road. Amid a full-blown rebuild, might they pursue another premiership Tiger?

From a Richmond perspective, McIntosh doesn't fit the Tigers' progressive age demographic, particularly as the club won't play finals football in 2023 and may not be a strong contender for post-season action in 2024, either. Moving on could be in their best interests. 

Albeit, due to McIntosh's Punt Road standing as a popular teammate and cult hero among fans, likelihood suggests he tacks on another year or two to his existing yellow and black contract, assuming Richmond's list committee is willing to branch out an addendum to a decorated fan-favourite of the club's dynasty era. 

St Kilda

Jade Gresham
Gresham's restricted free agent status has been a hot topic as he continues to ponder his footballing future post-2023. The longer the 25-year-old livewire remains unsigned, the more his ties to Carlton may be more than just smoke and mirrors. 

Gresham's 17.3 disposals per game rate as elite among forwards, according to AFL.com.au, while his 3.7 marks and 3.2 tackles are above average in comparison to AFL forwards. 

Outside of the speculation surrounding Gresham, though, there's a triplet of fringe Saints whose Moorabbin futures are somewhat cloudy, to say the least. 

Jack Bytel
Bytel is one of numerous fringe Saints who have shown glimpses of serious promise across their short careers. However, the 23-year-old hasn't proven an ability to solidify a spot in St Kilda's best 23. 

While injuries have played a part in derailing the early portion of his career, form has also represented an obstacle for the midfielder, who has played just 21 AFL games across five seasons since being drafted in 2018. 

Bytel has played just six senior games for Ross Lyon's Saints this season – four of which came as the tactical substitute – managing a measly average of 7.8 disposals and 1.8 tackles. Through two full games, the onballer crafted a mean of 13.5 possessions and 3.5 tackles. 

Simply put, is he good enough at senior level to warrant another contract, or – a non-free-agent this year – is he destined to be a part of this year's delisted free agent crop?

Nick Coffield
After he was selected among the top ten picks at the 2017 National Draft, Coffield immediately showed promise in his rookie season at half-back, notching ten games in 2018. 

However, injuries have played a significant role in hindering his career progress, appearing in just eight games the following year in 2019. 

Coffield bounced back during 2020's COVID-impacted campaign, playing in almost all of St Kilda's outings as the Saints mounted a finals push, and followed up that encouraging progress with another 16 senior games in 2021. However, Round 23, 2021 represents the most recent AFL game Coffield has partaken in after suffering an ACL rupture last pre-season, causing the dashing defender to miss the entirety of the 2022 season. 

While the devastation of his knee reconstruction has been put in the rearview, Coffield is now plagued by a calf issue that has remained since the pre-season period. 

When on the field for the Saints, though, Coffield's talent is undeniable. However, not having played competitive football since 2021, combined with the fact his contract is set to expire at the end of this year, the 23-year-old's St Kilda future is murky. 

Tom Highmore
Highmore was mature-aged when he was drafted by St Kilda in 2020, turning a seasoned 23 at the beginning of his rookie campaign in 2021. 

A player of a similar mould to Coffield, Highmore can play tall or small and rebound dangerously from defensive 50, however, he hasn't been afforded much senior opportunity at Moorabbin. 

Highmore managed to play 13 games in that aforementioned rookie season, however, followed that up with just three senior outings last year, and none to date in 2023. 

Out of contract and 26 years old at the start of next season, the defending Highmore's inability to break into Lyon's side could spell peril for the South Adelaide product. 

If not offered a new deal by list boss Stephen Silvagni and Co, would the Crows, for example, consider acquiring Highmore as a delisted free agent for the purpose of defensive depth?

Adelaide boasts emerging youngsters Max Michalanney and Josh Worrell as its preferred combination of mid-sized stoppers, with taller interceptors Nick Murray and Mitchell Hinge firmly entrenched in Matthew Nicks' back six, so would they look to Highmore as a mature presence in case of injury or form slumps? The Crows' tall defence has suffered from injuries during the latter portion of this season. 

Time will tell, but Highmore's stagnant Moorabbin tenure may result in limited interest from rival clubs. 

Sydney Swans

Most of the off-season intrigue surrounding the Swans this year regards the reported notion that they're pursuing a key-position pillar. Things probably haven't gone to plan for Sydney in the player movement department thus far, with Tom De Koning recommitting at Carlton, Harry Himmelberg pledging his future to GWS, and star Eagle Tom Barrass reportedly keen on seeing out his West Coast contract. 

Clearly, Swans higher-ups Tom Harley, Kinnear Beatson and Co are future-planning for the post-Buddy era, with multiple pre-existing Swans under cloudy contract situations. 

Hayden McLean
Burgeoning key forward Joel Amartey recently put pen to paper on a three-year deal to cement his footballing future in the Harbour City, leaving McLean as one of the remaining key contract dominos yet to fall for the Swans. 

With Lance Franklin confirming assumptions he's hanging up the boots this year, it would seem more likely than not that McLean is part of Sydney's long-term future, even with emerging key forward Logan McDonald also locked down in Sydney through to the end of next year. 

Was Amartey's recommitment prioritised over McLean's? Or is McLean – a Sandringham product – holding out in hopes of capitalising on serious Victorian interest?

St Kilda and Collingwood make a lot of sense as potential destination clubs. The Saints enjoy the location factor McLean may desire, and they should be in the market for a secondary bonafide key forward to partner with marksman Max King. 

The Magpies, however, boast the "powerhouse club" status, firmly entrenched in the premiership conversation, and are potentially in the market for a long-term prospect at the key-forward position considering questions over Brody Mihocek's ability to own a forward line, as well as Dan McStay's lingering injury issues. 

Albeit, that duo may have inspired enough confidence in Collingwood's list committee to this point in the year. Plus, the retention of Ash Johnson has been secured. 

Further, with reports continuing to emerge regarding Sydney's apparent desire to attract a key-position swingman to the Harbour City this year, maybe McLean's services aren't as valued in red and white as initially presumed. 

Will Gould
After being made to wait a seemingly-endless amount of time before he was afforded an AFL debut, Gould once again finds himself on the outs with coach John Longmire and Sydney's match committee. 

A second-round draft selection in 2019, the hard-nosed defender didn't manage a single game in any of his first three AFL campaigns, finally debuting in Round 5 this season against Richmond. 

Since his maiden appearance, though, Gould played just three additional games before he was omitted for Sydney's Round 11 bout with Carlton. 

He hasn't appeared at AFL level since, with his current Swans contract set to expire at the conclusion of this season. 

Would the Glenelg product be a target for either Port Adelaide or Adelaide? Still just 22 years of age, Gould fits the Crows' youthful age demographic and would bring a physical edge to Nicks' defence; at the very least providing valuable depth. 

At Alberton Oval, Tom Jonas, Trent McKenzie, Tom Clurey, and Aliir Aliir will all be 29-plus years old at the start of next season, with Gould possibly presenting as an attractive injection of youth. 

Questions will linger as long as Gould remains locked out of Sydney's senior side. 

Lachlan McAndrew
McAndrew's situation is another intriguing case to ponder, particularly as veteran ruckman Tom Hickey's career draws nearer to a close, and ex-Power ruck-forward Peter Ladhams' position in Longmire's squad remains uncertain. 

The 23-year-old McAndrew has participated in just a pair of senior Swans games, appearing in Rounds 10 and 11 in the absence of injured pair Hickey and McDonald, before being relegated back to the VFL ahead of the Swans' Round 13 clash with St Kilda. 

Still with plenty of youth on his side, and considering the prolonged development timeline of most AFL big men, the Swans are likely preaching patience with the off-contract McAndrew. 

West Coast Eagles

A plethora of imperative list decisions confront West Coast's brains trust at the conclusion of this season. 

A multitude of the Eagles' elder statesmen find themselves without deals beyond this season amidst what has unfolded in a historically poor 2023 campaign for the storied WA club. 

Jamie Cripps
Cripps, who has built a solid career by kicking timely majors for the Eagles, carries a sound reputation in West Coast circles. 

However, the veteran goalsneak will be 32 years of age by the start of next season, with West Coast's list committee at least considering the prospect of a Cripps retirement. The Eagles have already seen the retirements of ex-skipper Shannon Hurn and current captain Luke Shuey over the course of the past month. 

Cripps, who has managed just ten games to this late point in the season, is on track to have played the least amount of games in a season since his 12-match 2012 campaign, back when he was donning St Kilda colours. 

The 31-year-old has kicked just ten goals this season; currently representing his lowest tally since 2013 (not including 2020's COVID-shortened season, when he kicked nine majors). 

Jai Culley
Arguably one of West Coast's most crucial list calls revolves around a young, ascending player in Culley. 

Culley, the first overall selection at the 2022 Mid-Season Draft, doesn't have a contract past this year, hailing from Victoria. 

Since donning an Eagles guernsey, the youngster has showcased his contested work and tackling pressure, while also exhibiting an ability to go forward and impact the scoreboard; booting a landmark four goals in a Round 6 loss to Port Adelaide, earning that week's Rising Star nomination. 

While Culley and the Eagles are understood to be progressing in discussions regarding a contract extension, nothing has yet been finalised to this late point in the year. 

Sam Petrevski-Seton
Petrevski-Seton has failed to truly impose himself on the league throughout his first seven seasons and hasn't made the kind of impact at the Eagles as he would have hoped since crossing over from Carlton. 

Further, by the end of the season, Petrevski-Seton will have played the fewest amount of games in a season in his career, with a mid-year quad injury resulting in the midfielder managing just 11 senior outings with two fixtures remaining on West Coast's home and away schedule. 

Just 25 years of age, youth is still on Petrevski-Seton's side, which may be what pushes West Coast over the line as it pertains to determining whether or not offering him a contract beyond this season is in the club's best interests. 

Western Bulldogs

Most Bulldogs followers will be monitoring the persistent whispers about contracted key-position duo Tim English and Aaron Naughton, who are reportedly considered to be trade targets for the likes of the West Coast Eagles and Sydney Swans. 

Pending a conclusion to the AFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement tussle with the AFL Players' Association, English and Naughton are likely to be beneficiaries of the bump in player payments once a new arrangement comes into effect. 

But for now, the Dogs have business to tend to elsewhere.

Hayden Crozier
Crozier, since crossing over from Fremantle in 2017, has been a relative recruitment success for the Bulldogs, as the left-footer has been a consistently reliable disposer of the ball by foot, kick-starting offensive chains from defensive 50. 

However, the 29-year-old has played in a mere trio of games this season, as a serious hamstring injury has prevented the half-back-flanker from making a substantial impact in 2023. 

Barely playing any football this season, coupled with the fact he'll have turned 30 by the start of next year, means the Bulldogs' list committee's decision on a new Crozier deal won't be a straightforward one. 

Fellow half-back-flankers Ed Richards and Jason Johannisen have also been struck down by hamstring ailments through the second half of the season, leaving a thin list of options for Luke Beveridge in terms of defensive reinforcements. 

However, with Bailey Dale, Caleb Daniel, and fellow off-contract Dog Bailey Williams continuing to hold down the fort, while fresh face James O'Donnell has been afforded a decent run of senior opportunity, maybe Crozier is more expendable than some first presumed. 

Bailey Williams
Further to the circumstances surrounding Crozier, the Bulldogs may prioritise the retention of the aforementioned Williams, who is set to enter unrestricted free agency this year. 

Williams' 2023 campaign represents his eighth season of Bulldogs service, and as he isn't among the top 25 per cent of player payments at the Dogs, he is free to sign with whichever team he chooses if he opts to depart The Kennel. 

Williams, who originates from Glenelg, has received South Australian interest amid his continued contract stand-off with the Bulldogs. 

While Williams and the Bulldogs have reportedly undertaken contract talks, no deal appears imminent, with the cessation of the season edging nearer. 

The handy utility is a key contributor to coach Luke Beveridge's side, hence it is hard to imagine the Bulldogs being content with Williams departing. 

Jordon Sweet
The case is fairly simple to make that Sweet is the most attractive ruck prospect among this year's crop of off-contract big men. However, whether he's obtainable is a separate discussion. 

The 25-year-old, a product of North Adelaide, has been afforded just 11 games across his five-season Bulldogs career and remains firmly in the shadow of ascending ruckman Tim English. 

Assuming English, who has received West Coast interest despite being contracted at the Bulldogs through next season, remains a Dog for years to come, it's hard to imagine a sustainable AFL future for Sweet at Whitten Oval.

Hailing from South Australia, Port Adelaide presents as a Sweet fit as the tapping maestro continues to dominate at the VFL level this year. 

With Scott Lycett, Brynn Teakle, and Sam Hayes all out of contract at Alberton, would the Power go in a new direction and take a chance on the rarely-utilised Bulldog?

Hayes, like Sweet, is a traditional-style ruckman who doesn't possess the forward-line flexibility of the Luke Jackson-type mould of the 'contemporary' ruck-forward. Perhaps that fact favours the notion that Port would lean towards re-signing Hayes as opposed to pursuing a similar ruck archetype. 

Sweet knows English is viewed by the club as a long-term player, so in the case that the Bulldogs want to re-sign Sweet as continued English insurance, what would make the pitch to stay enticing? This is certainly a space to watch come trade time.